Notes : The Hideki class is one of the most important ships in the Cardassian
fleet, if only due to their high numbers. The Cardassians have always sought
to produce simple, easy-to-build ships which pack a heavy punch for their
size and in the Hideki they have accomplished just that. Although these
ships are generally compared - unfavourably - to the Klingon B'Rel class
Bird of Prey, in some ways this is unfair. Cardassian policy emphasizes
that these ships are intended for largely border patrol or system defence
duties, keeping Cardassian space defended in order to free up the larger
ships for offensive duties. The B'Rel, on the other hand, is intended to
be a fully capable attack vessel in its own right, albeit a light one.
While the Hideki is not as capable as the Klingon vessel, it is thought
to take almost one third of the resources to build and run - and three
Hidekis would certainly be a match for a single B'Rel class.

The Hideki is thought to have a long term cruise speed of Warp 5, about
right for a ship which will not be expected to cover large distances unsupported.
The Armament is capable of dealing with pirate and mercenary type vessels
that the Hideki might encounter on patrols and is sufficient to allow the
Hideki to act in support of major fleet actions or operate as a light scout
unit - although the relatively low speed is a limiting factor in this role.

The Hideki has been built in very large numbers, and as is inevitable
with a class this size several variations have been fielded. The Type 1
is the basic Hideki class described above; the Type 2 is four metres longer;
it has extra fuel and a greater degree of automation to reduce the crew
to 32, giving a higher accommodation standard and allowing this variant
to undertake longer patrols. The Type 3 has a more advanced sensor suite
than previous models and is equipped with a new model of warp core which
increases efficiency. The Type 4 is a new model which has added high density
armour and a third phaser bank, although this is accomplished at the cost
of lower maximum speeds and reduced range.

In service the Hideki has proved a solid, reliable design which is popular
with its crews. In combat the type is well tested against lightly armed
conversions of civilian ships common to pirates and other such bandits;
the Hideki's major debut in a fleet action came when thirty four of these
ships fought with the Dominion fleet which captured Deep
Space Nine. Against a modern heavily armed defence system the Hideki
did not fare so well; fourteen of the ships were destroyed and nine heavily
damaged. During the Dominion war the Hideki has not taken part in offensive
actions, but is instead operating in its old border patrol mission. Although
Klingon B'Rel class ships took something of a heavy toll on these ships
in the early days of the war, the Hideki's have begun to operate in packs
of three or more, sometimes with a Jem'Hadar fighter craft in attendance,
since which time they are holding their own.

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